John Deere 455 Seat - OEM vs Aftermarket - Any opinions??

[davefr]

My original JD455 seat is starting to crack. I can't decide whether to get OEM for $190 or an aftermarket for around $120. Are these aftermarket seats better or worse quality? What about comfort?

Does anyone have any feedback on this style of aftermarket seat?

TIA

Here's the aftermarket seat I'm looking at:

 

[om21braz]

I’d wait for some first-hand opinions, but $ 190.00 for an OEM unit sounds pretty good compared to what I have seen. Seems like pricing I remember was in the $ 400.00 range.

 

[beenthere]

Part # AM117489 is the OEM seat and right at $190

If you get the aftermarket, please let us know how it performs.

 

[Zebrafive]

How old is your 455? It could be 17 to 26 years old. If I got 17 years out OEM seat, that's what I would buy, even at $70 more, less than$5/yr if you get 17years out it.

 

[davefr]

How old is your 455? It could be 17 to 26 years old. If I got 17 years out OEM seat, that's what I would buy, even at $70 more, less than$5/yr if you get 17years out it.

19 years.

I have no problem with the OEM seat's life. However the aftermarket seat could be from the same OEM that supplies seats to JD for their 2R series tractor. Maybe I could get a better/improved seat and save $60. I think I'll stop at a JD dealer and check out the seats in the 2R series and see if they look and feel better then my original seat.

From the 2R brochure. They sure look identical except for the armrests and embossed logo. The aftermarket seat is from Promek made in the USA.

 

[beenthere]

Just checked, and put a new seat on my 455 when I bought it used in 2010.. has lasted without cracks until this summer when a small crack started in the bend. I'm thinking I'd like them to last longer, but not complaining for getting 8 years..
No other expenses in those 8 years on this 455, but for a new battery once.

 

[davefr]

I just discovered this little tidbit. The aftermarket seat I originally posted is made by Promek/Milsco. They are an OEM for JD.

ABOUT MILSCO
You’ll find Milsco seats on many of the world’s most recognized brands. We created the upholstered passenger seat for Harley-Davidson in 1934 and the first padded tractor seat for International Harvester in 1937. Seats designed and produced by Milsco are standard equipment for John Deere, Club Car, Toyota, Caterpillar, and many other household names.

 

[sklunk]

I have that exact seat. I put it on my 345 about 3 years ago and have not had a single problem. It is made by Milsco who is indeed the JD supplier. They call it their "XB-200" seat. It is exactly like the Deere seat except it doesn't have the Deere logo and it has more threaded holes underneath which makes it a little more "universal". It has marks where you could install the armrest kit I just haven't done it (the indentations are there but I don't know if it uses a self-tapping screw or if you would need to install threaded inserts).

I highly recommend it. I don't know where you looked but I get seats from Home - Seat Warehouse and have been really happy with their pricing and service.

 

[davefr]

I have that exact seat. I put it on my 345 about 3 years ago and have not had a single problem. It is made by Milsco who is indeed the JD supplier. They call it their "XB-200" seat. It is exactly like the Deere seat except it doesn't have the Deere logo and it has more threaded holes underneath which makes it a little more "universal". It has marks where you could install the armrest kit I just haven't done it (the indentations are there but I don't know if it uses a self-tapping screw or if you would need to install threaded inserts).

I highly recommend it. I don't know where you looked but I get seats from Home - Seat Warehouse and have been really happy with their pricing and service.

Thanks. I stopped by the local JD dealer yesterday and they had both a 2R series tractor and a X590 with this exact seat. I sat in it and it feels better then the original 455 seat. I ordered one from a supplier on Ebay.

 

[Zebrafive]

Being a JD supplier, it should be a good seat. I was expecting when you said aftermarket, a cheap copy from China.